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McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (0-0, 0-0) looks to make another run at the Penn State University Athletic Conference Championship starting Friday when it opens its 2017/18 season against Butler County Community College (0-0, 0-0) at 7 p.m.

Last season was a historic one for PSUGA Men’s Basketball as they claimed their first ever PSUAC championship and made their first ever trip to the United State Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament. They would pick up a win in the first round of that tournament before falling in the second round and finishing in 3rd place overall in the tournament. They also set new school records in both wins (23) and conference wins (14) during the regular season.

A lot of last year’s stars are returning in 2017/18 including seniors Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy), Curtis Newby (Sharon, Pa./Sharon HS), and Jeremy McMunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills HS). They will also be joined by last year’s points per game leader junior Jordan Payne (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport).

Payne led last year’s team offensively racking up 14.2 points per game and was second on the team from beyond the arc shooting 36.4%. Curtis Newby was second on the team in PPG last season with 14.1 and played a big role on the defensive side of the ball leading the team with 9.3 rebounds per game. Jeremy McMunn was fifth on the team in PPG with 10.8 and Khari Hicks led all bench players with 7.8 PPG. Hicks also sits just 23 points away from eclipsing the 1,000-point mark in his PSUGA Career.

In total, there are nine returning members from last year’s team and a core of freshman and transfer talent that will look to help bolster the men’s basketball team on both sides of the ball. Saint Vincent transfer Mhonte Newsome (Baltimore, Md./Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) looks to help in the rebounding game and freshman Koran Flemming (Pittsburgh, Pa./Westinghouse HS) brings great shooting ability to the offensive side of the ball.

While PSUGA had a historic season a year ago, BCCC was on the other end of the scale. They finished just 9-20 over the course of the regular season and a 5-8 record in conference play. After having several successful seasons, BCCC is trying to get back to their winning ways in 2017/18.

These two teams have faced off twice in the past with both of those matchups coming in exhibition games each of the last two seasons. PSUGA has won both of those matchups by scores of 91-82 and 81-60.

Tip-off for Friday’s men’s basketball game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Be sure to come out before the game as the Women’s Basketball team takes on BCCC before the game at 5 p.m.